The Greens say 27 greyhounds that raced on a Tasmanian track last season have already died, including one that was sent through the Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP).
Information compiled by animal rights and greyhound welfare groups shows 24 of the dogs that died had different owners, while 22 had been passed from one trainer to another.
Greens Animal Rights spokesperson Cassy O’Connor said the statistics reveal the “brutal, everyday reality” of the greyhound racing industry.
“Dozens of dogs dying every year, often in the most traumatic of circumstances,” she said.
“As is too often the case, many of these gentle dogs died at or after race or trial accidents.”
O’Connor cited the example of Don’t Tell Margy, a two-year-old she said ran into a pole on the track, suffered a brain injury and died of cardiac arrest the next morning.
“There was no mention of veterinary attention on her records,” she said.
Racing Minister Jane Howlett responded by saying that participants in the industry “love their animals” and that any death, on or off the track, is “heartbreaking for owners and trainers”.
“I am absolutely committed to ensuring contemporary animal welfare outcomes are met by all three codes to ensure full transparency regarding animal welfare,” she said.
“The majority of people in the racing industry across all three codes love their animals and I will back the racing industry.”
According to Howlett, 38 greyhounds were euthanised during the 2023-24 financial year to May 31, with reasons including injury, age and being unsuitable for rehoming.
Only four of those dogs were put down at the racetrack or within 14 days of a track injury, she said.
“My responsibility and my priority is to restore faith and trust in the racing industry across all three codes … that’s what this new legislation will be doing,” Howlett said.
